Donald Reinke Schroeder

MONONA-Donald R. Schroeder, 89, of Monona passed away on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 at Agrace HospiceCare with his wife and children at his side, following a very brief illness. Don was born to Adolph and Elsie (Reinke) Schroeder on Jan. 19, 1926, in Oshkosh, Wis. He graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School in 1944, but missed his graduation due to his January enlistment in the U.S. Army Air Forces. He served in New Guinea and the Philippines. He was recently a Badger Honor Flight participant for World War II veterans. After his service, he attended the University of Wisconsin on the GI Bill, graduating from UW Law School in 1952. Don married Yvonne Holen on June 14, 1952, (Flag Day) in Madison. Don's early career took them to cities in Wisconsin from Madison and Fort Atkinson to Superior and Eau Claire and Stevens Point and eventually the Sheboygan area while Don was vice president of claims for Heritage Insurance and where they lived during their children's growing-up years. They returned to Madison in 1977, when Don became assistant general counsel for General Casualty, until his retirement. Don loved his wife and family and his life. He valued education and was an avid reader, a current events enthusiast, a fan of the Packers, Brewers, and Badgers, and loved following his grandchildren's school sports and activities. He and Yvonne enjoyed camping in their VW pop-top camper and vacationing with family in Door County and the Gulf Coast. He knew that family, simple pleasures, and helping others are the foundation of a good life, and was described as a kind and caring gentleman by all who knew him. Don is survived by his wife, Yvonne; children, Lynn (Mark) Boll of Amherst, Wis., Mark Schroeder of Prescott, Wis., Ann Schroeder (Steve Gasser) of Monona, and Jean Schroeder (Jim Zavoral) of St. Paul, Minn. He is also survived by grandchildren, Jennifer (Ryan) Biesack, Josh (Leslie) Boll, Kelsey Schroeder-Gasser, Graham Schroeder-Gasser, Dylan Zavoral, and Hanna Zavoral; and great-grandchildren, Sylvie Biesack, Kyran Biesack, and Hudson Boll. He is further survived by his sister, Betty Ostram of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., her daughters, Jane and Linda and their families; and many cherished brothers-in-law, sisters-in-laws and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Ruth, as well as numerous cousins and brothers-in-law. Family and friends will celebrate Don's life during services at THE CHURCH AT CHRIST MEMORIAL LUTHERAN, 2833 Raritan Road, Fitchburg, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to consider donations to Friends of Wisconsin Public Television, Wisconsin Public Radio or Badger Honor Flight. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420